After forcing herself to ingest the poisonous smoothie from hell, Valentina quickly lost her appetite. Instead of delicious spicy chicken and sides, her stomach was now sloshing around with nasty liquid.
She glared angrily at Kaiser before holding out her hand.
"Where's my beer? You owe me."
"Of course. Let me get you a fresh one." Kaiser lazily got up and walked to the fridge.
"Auntie Val, are you mad at Dad for making you drink medicine?" Luca softly asked.
Valentina gently patted his head before replying. "No, I'm not mad at your dad little nugget. Are you enjoying your chicken?"
"Yes! Can I have another spicy one?" Luca smiled happily.
"You like spicy food? It's not too hot for you?" she glanced at him, noting that although his cheeks were a bit pink he looked fine as he ate the spicy wings.
"Mmmm. It's delicious~"
"Good boy. Have some more. There's plenty so eat slowly."
"Yes!"
Kaiser watched the harmonious scene happening at his dining table and couldn't help but feel left out. How come he didn't get praised? He liked fried chicken too!
Feeling the urge to interrupt, he walked over and made himself a plate of the spicy chicken after handing Valentina a beer.
As he sat down, the smell of pepper wafted into his nose, and he immediately wanted to sneeze. He took a closer look at the spicy wings, just now noticing that the color was quite a frightening red color.
"I would say take a small bite since it's quite spicy." Valentina cautioned him as she happily sipped her beer.
"It's okay. I quite like spicy food."
"Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you." Her eyes were curved in an amused manner as if waiting to watch a good show.
Slowly, Kaiser raised a drumstick and took a large bite, chewed a bit, and swallowed.
Fire.
Immediately his lips, tongue, and cheeks began burning. It felt as if a million needles were poking his mouth at the same time.
"Too spicy? Need some milk? I can get it for you if you can't handle the heat." Valentina asked in a mocking manner, her lips curved up happily. She was happy that she had found a way to get back to Kaiser. Anytime that he teased her, she would immediately order spicy fried chicken and force it down his throat.
Kaiser wiped away the sweat dripping down his forehead and forced himself to talk coherently.
"It's fine hah. I love spicy chicken haah." He could barely speak without breathing out loudly.
"Is that right? Luca, your dad has so little chicken on his plate and is very hungry. Can you help him get some more spicy pieces? Enough to make a mountain on his plate so he can be full."
"Yes!" Luca happily responded before standing on his seat to push the chicken over to Kaiser and then load them onto his plate.
As the pile of chicken got higher and higher, Kaiser felt his fear levels increase. This was an unholy level of spiciness and his son and Valentina had happily eaten it with no problem. How?
Unhappy, Kaiser shot her a look that said, 'I'll get you for this later.'
Smiling confidently, Valentina lifted her beer bottle in salute before snickering and saying, "Bottoms up. Make sure you don't waste the food. After all, you want to set a good example for Luca right? I'm not leaving until you clear the plate."
Luca stared at the two of them in confusion before announcing.
"I'm done eating!"
Laughing once more, she got up to help Luca wash his hands and wipe his face before sending him off.
When she returned to the table, it was to see Kaiser sweating with a red face as he ate the chicken wings.
"You don't have to eat it if you can't take the spice."
"How can I stop when my cute son and dear Auntie Val want me to eat until I'm full." He stopped eating and gave her a pained smile before taking a sip of his beer.
Feeling bad for him, she slid over the container of pickled radishes.
"Have this, it should help. And I'll get you some ice cream."
"Feeling bad for me?"
"Almost." She honestly replied, "I didn't know you were that bad with pepper. Luca seemed fine and honestly, it's not that spicy."
Kaiser: "..." my mouth is no longer tingling but burning like hellfire and you think it's not that spicy?
Ahem hem.
Rather than responding. Kaiser discreetly pushed away the plate and began digging into the pickled radishes, rapidly eating them in an elegant motion.
"Rather than that how are you feeling Valentina? I know your opening ceremony is tomorrow. Do you feel up to it?"
"Yeah, my body feels fine. Rather I'm a bit concerned about what I'll be wearing. Unfortunately, I was down for all of yesterday and most of today, so I didn't have time to chat with Lia. She didn't even take my measurements."
"Ah, there's no need to worry about that. Lia's eyes are all the measuring tape she needs. She said she'd come to grab you first thing in the morning to begin getting you ready. All you need to do today is rest and recover. You can message her later if you want."
"…ah okay." Valentina nodded in response.
They sat quietly for a moment, sipping their beers before Kaiser smirked at her.
"Beer huh? I never would have taken you for a drinker. You seem like the type who can't hold their alcohol."
"Hmph. Beer is the best thing to pair with spicy chicken. And I'll have you know I drink everything very well." Valentina told him confidently. In her past life, her alcohol tolerance was quite high. And even now as she sipped her beer, she was being notified by the system.
[Low-level recovery activated to help host neutralize alcohol.]
She figured as long as she paced herself she wouldn't get drunk and if it continued to neutralize things while she slept, she wouldn't have a hangover in the morning either.
"Is that right? We should go on a date then. I'll take you to a good restaurant and we can go to a nice bar afterward. Ah, you don't need to worry, I'll properly plan everything to make sure your identity is not exposed. You just need to let me know when your schedule is free."
"...Pardon me?" she could only look at him with a stunned expression.
Kaiser threw back his remaining drink before smiling at her.
"You wanted my sincerity, right? This is me formally asking you to make some time for me so I can take you out on a proper date. Just the two of us. What do you think?"
As he finished his drink, she caught sight of his handsome face staring intently at her and she became speechless for a moment. What the hell was going on? How did the conversation switch from going to the opening ceremony to being asked out on a date?
"Valentina? What do you think?"
"Uhm, I'm actually quite busy and don't know what my schedule looks like with the filming, so I'll have to say no. Besides I'm sure you're quite busy, I wouldn't want to impose." She politely declined hoping he would cancel.
"That's fine. I can wait. Just let me know when you have some free time. Any day is fine. I'll properly clear my schedule and take you out to have a good time." Kaiser gave her a knowing smile as she tried to decline.
Valentina: "..."
Big boss. Please take the hint and spare me.
Seeing her expression of wanting to refuse, Kaiser simply laughed as he stood up.
"Think it over Valentina and let me know whenever you decide. The offer is open forever and the ball is in your court. Ah but don't think this is the end. I plan on continuing to show you my sincerity until you believe it and accept it. Make sure you get to bed early. You have a long day tomorrow."
After giving her a bright smile that shook her heart and softly patting her head, he walked away. Once he left, Valentina dropped her head to the table with a thud.
Fuck.
What the hell was she supposed to do after being openly propositioned like that?
After thoroughly pretending that Kaiser's words were a figment of her overactive imagination, Valentina immediately locked herself in her room and went to bed. She still felt a bit tired after eating and drinking that questionable healthy liquid so she figured she might as well just go to sleep instead of worrying about anything.
At 8 o'clock the next day, she woke up to someone repeatedly banging on her door. As she sleepily walked over to open it, she saw that it was Lia. The woman was wearing a much simpler dress than usual and high-platform sneakers. Her short blue hair was held up with multitudes of clips and she had blue glasses perched on her nose.
"Grand rising to you my favorite student. I am glad to see you're doing well. How are you feeling?" Lia asked her in a very subdued voice.
"Good morning Lia. I'm fine now thanks to your care."
"Valentina," Lia said her name seriously.
"Yes?"
"I am very sorry. I didn't mean to push you to your breaking point, and I honestly apologize for working you so hard that you got ill. Please forgive me." Lia immediately bowed her waist ninety degrees.
Shocked, Valentina couldn't help but console her as she held the other woman up. "Please don't do this. I promise I'm completely fine. It had nothing to do with you."
"Still. I promise to take care of you properly from now on!" Lia said firmly, her fist clenched in her determination. Valentina had to suppress a laugh that threatened to come out at the comical image.
"Haha. Okay then. Please take care of me." She gave the woman a brilliant smile.
"Gah! You're so beautiful first thing in the morning! My eyes!" Lia shouted while covering her eyes dramatically.
Valentina: "..." welp. There was the old Lia she knew.
Seeing Valentina stare at her, Lia coughed in embarrassment.
"Anyway. I am here to take you to prepare for your opening premiere. Please go get changed and meet me downstairs."
"Isn't it a little early?" Valentina asked. The opening ceremony would not start until 6 pm. They had almost 10 hours to prepare.
"Are you questioning your teacher my favorite student? Beauty takes time! Go and get changed. Your breakfast has been packed and is waiting for you." Lia ordered. Her large paper fan appeared out of nowhere and she began smacking it on her hand in a threatening manner.
"…got it. I'll be right down then."
Valentina quickly showered and changed into a simple sweatshirt and leggings before heading down the stairs. Waiting at the bottom was Luca with a large metal thermos in his hands.
"Good morning my little nugget."
"Good morning Aunty Val." He greeted her cheerfully before firming his expression.
"You have to drink your medicine!" He shouted while holding the thermos up to her.
Fuck. The dreaded liquid. Although she knew it was good for her to drink, when she recalled the horrid taste and smell, Valentina was unwilling to drink it.
Still, seeing Luca's expectant gaze, she couldn't help but smile and accept it.
"Okay. Little nugget. I'll drink it but I'll take it with me since I'm in a rush."
"No! You have to finish it now! You can't get sick." Luca firmly shook his head while glaring. When she saw the little angry face that looked so similar to Kaiser's, she couldn't help but squat and softly pinch his cheeks.
"Is our little Luca upset?" she asked teasingly.
"No. It's my mission." He mumbled while cutely glaring at her.
"I know. And I pinky promise to finish it okay. but I'm in a rush. Lia is waiting for me."
"Actually I'm not. I have to wait for you to finish the drink. Kaiser's orders." Lia announced as she appeared with a lunch box in her hands. "So feel free to drink up. we can't leave until the bottle is em.pty."
Valentina: "..." Why did she feel as if she were in the middle of an intervention?
Even though Luca immediately hid behind her legs, he stared at her expectantly. Looking between the two sparkling gazes, Valentina sighed resignedly before plugging her nose and chugging it down. She didn't know if it was because of the minty taste of toothpaste but she felt as if it tasted even worse than yesterday. After chugging it, she gratefully took the candy from Luca and ate.
"Good, good. Now that you're done let's go! You can eat in the car." Lia ordered.
"Do I need a face mask or anything?" Valentina asked while pulling the mask and glasses out of her purse. She remembered Rio and Kaiser's words to be careful when going out.
"Please. Who do you think I am? Just get in the car and trust me!" Lia patted her chest confidently.
Valentina: "..." Although she wanted to say the short stature didn't inspire confidence, she kept silent. After hugging Luca goodbye, she quietly followed Lia.
Outside the house, a fully blacked-out van was waiting. She looked between the vehicle and Lia and couldn't help but ask.
"…Are these window tints legal? The windows are literally black."
"Ohoho. Of course my favorite student. Don't worry about it and trust me!" Lia laughed cheerfully before getting in the front seat.
Although she was skeptical, Valentina quietly got in the car. As she was driven to some unknown destination she quietly ate her breakfast and closed her eyes to rest. Although she wanted to peep out the window, the tint was so dark that everything just appeared black.
About thirty minutes passed and the vehicle stopped before the door suddenly opened.
"Alrighty, come on out!" Lia shouted excitedly.
"…Where are we?" Valentina asked as she looked around curiously. It seemed as if they were in some underground parking garage.
"It's the parking garage to my studio space. Come along, we've got so many beauty treatments to do if we're going to prepare you in time." Lia said as she quickly led her to an elevator.
They rode up in silence, and when the elevator door opened, it was to the scene of multiple lined up.
"Welcome Miss Lia and guest." The six people said simultaneously.
"Good, you're all here. Now let's get started. Alice, Riley, face and body. Jude, Lyle – nails and hair. Laura – accessories and shoes. Violet is with me for a final touch-up on clothes. Chop, chop everyone! T minus eight hours to be fully done and on our way to the carpet."
"Oh my god. That's barely enough time!"
"Hurry guys, let's get started!
Valentina watched in confusion as everyone began to scramble around. Before she could say anything, she found herself locked between two women and she was dragged away into a large bathroom with a tub filled with steaming water that sat in the center of the room.
"Uhm…what's going on? I've already showered this morning." She looked between the two women nervously, noting that they locked the door behind them leaving her trapped in the room.
"This is a special bath mask to help smooth and soften your skin and hair to the fullest extent."
"And I'll be giving you a facial and plucking each hair on your face one by one. By the time I'm done, your face will be smoother than a boiled egg and your pores will be invisible."
"Ahaha, can I decline?" Valentina gulped and asked in fear. Honestly, she was quite afraid of pain, so she usually didn't wax her eyebrows or her body. She just shaved every once in a while as needed. The eyes of the two women were honestly too scary. She was afraid.
"No. Now strip." Alice and Riley simultaneously responded before approaching Valentina step by step. As they forcibly stripped her and dunked her into the bathtub.
As they began slathering her body and hair with all sorts of concoctions, Valentina wondered if beauty was really worth it.